ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease);Support research to find a cure.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells and causes loss of muscle control. When motor neurons can no longer send impulses to the muscles due to ALS, the muscles begin to waste away (atrophy), causing increased muscle weakness. Eventually, most muscles are affected, including those of the legs, feet, arms and hands, and those that control swallowing and breathing, resulting in death within 3 to 5 years from diagnosis. Because ALS affects only motor neurons, the disease does not impair a person's mind, personality, intelligence, or memory, nor does it affect a person's ability to see, smell, taste, hear, or recognize touch.

There are no known causes of ALS, and no known cure. Researchers have studied environmental factors, dietary deficiencies, and traumas, but to date, there is insufficient evidence to identify any one cause of ALS. In recent years, there has been a wealth of new scientific understanding regarding the physiology of this disease, but more research is required if we are to find treatments and a cure for ALS.

ALS is not a rare disease. Today, 30,000 Americans have ALS, and 8,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Use the resources below to learn what you can do to support ALS research and to help find a cure for this most debilitating of diseases.

Facts About ALS

50% of ALS patients die within 18 months of diagnosis.

80% of ALS patients die within 5 years of diagnosis.

10% live more than 10 years.

ALS occurs in all races and all around the world.

Men get ALS more than women (1.5 to 1.0 ratio.)

After the age of 60 the ratio of men to women is nearly 1 to 1.

The incidence of ALS is 2 per 100,000.

The prevalence of ALS is 11 per 100,000.

The average age of onset is 55 years.

80% of ALS cases begin between the ages of 40 to 70.

People diagnosed with ALS between the ages of 20 and 40 have a higher chance of surviving for 5 years.